Since the last time Wu Yan cleaned the Sword Washing Pool, the hostility and violent spiritual energy within it had vanished, replaced by pure Sword Chi.
However, for the current Wu Yan, it was still difficult to endure.
Xia Lingshuang left after giving her orders, leaving Wu Yan alone to stare blankly at the spot.
The frost filling the sky dissipated along with Xia Lingshuang’s departure.
Just then, Yu Qingyao appeared from behind Wu Yan and draped a shawl over her shoulders.
“Senior Sister…”
Yu Qingyao hesitated for a moment, then couldn’t help but speak. “Master actually went to the Sword Washing Pool once this morning.”
“What?”
“Master went there this morning with a piece of Cold Jade Marrow and a package.”
Hearing Yu Qingyao’s words, the inner Wu Yan couldn’t help but mock her from the side, laughing so hard she almost shed tears. ‘Haha, Cold Jade Marrow? It’s a good day if that old woman doesn’t take the opportunity to throw a few more swords in there, let alone put Cold Jade Marrow inside.’
Cold Jade Marrow was a treasure that grew in the Extreme North Cold Cave. Because it could effectively neutralize the Geng Golden Qi contained within precious swords, it was extremely popular among sword cultivators.
At the same time, because it could be used as medicine to relax tendons and strengthen bones, it was also highly sought after by alchemists.
“If you don’t believe me, Senior Sister, I can accompany you to take a look. I can also protect you while you’re there.”
Seeing that Wu Yan seemed a bit dazed, Yu Qingyao took the initiative to invite her to the Sword Washing Pool.
“Mhm. Thank you for your hard work, Qingyao.”
“It’s what I should do, Senior Sister.”
It was the first time Wu Yan noticed how prominent the two dimples on Yu Qingyao’s face were.
***
When Wu Yan and Yu Qingyao arrived at the Sword Washing Pool, the water was already shimmering with a milky-white halo. One could tell at a glance that Cold Jade Marrow had been added.
‘Tsk, that old woman is actually willing to part with such a thing.’
The inner Yan hadn’t expected this either. In this life, ever since that woman had been drugged by her, she had become extremely hostile. Yet, she was actually willing to use an entire piece of Cold Jade Marrow to help Wu Yan recover.
“Senior Sister, I’ll go outside to stand guard for you. Call me if you need anything.”
Seeing Wu Yan preparing to take off her outer Daoist robe and step into the pool, Yu Qingyao didn’t linger. She said goodbye and left.
Wu Yan shed her clothes and shoes, leaving only her inner garments. The moment her jade-like toes touched the water, she felt a bone-chilling cold.
As the cold air surged into her body, it carried a portion of Geng Golden Qi, clearing away all the impurities remaining in her meridians.
Although the entire process was painful, for the current Wu Yan, who desperately wanted to recover, it was the best solution.
Since that day, the Sword Washing Pond has become a regular stop for Wu Yan and Yu Qingyao..
In the early morning, Wu Yan would soak in the pool, using every breath to feel the sharp Sword Chi and the bone-chilling cold while using the power of the Geng Golden Qi to temper her bones.
At noon, Lin Wan’er would come over from Medicine Peak carrying her medicine box. She would give Wu Yan newly developed medicine while complaining about the bad luck she had encountered that day.
At night, Yu Qingyao would bring food for Wu Yan and talk about some interesting things that had happened recently, such as how the Elders of other sects had tried to find trouble for the Piaomiao Sect but ultimately failed.
The days passed one by one in tedious but effective treatment and training.
Finally, fifteen days later.
Splash—
The crisp sound of water breaking shattered the silence of the Sword Washing Pool, startling Yu Qingyao, who was guarding the entrance.
Yu Qingyao entered the pool area and saw Wu Yan emerging from the water. Her figure was agile as she landed steadily on the giant boulder in the middle of the pool.
A sharp pop echoed in the air.
That hand, which once couldn’t even hold a bamboo branch steadily, was now as firm as a rock. Her knuckles were slender and powerful, and a luster as smooth as jade yet as sharp as a sword faintly flowed beneath her skin.
“Senior Sister, have you fully recovered?”
Although the answer was obvious, Yu Qingyao asked just in case.
“Yes, it’s about done.”
Wu Yan felt the flow of spiritual energy within her. Her physical injuries had completely healed, though her Divine Sense was still significantly weaker than before.
However, for Wu Yan, being alive was already a great fortune. To ask for more would be greedy.
“Qingyao, you should go back. I still have some things to do.”
Watching Wu Yan’s departing back, Yu Qingyao also withdrew her thoughts. ‘Since Senior Sister is well, I should also make some preparations.’
***
“I say, little Wu Yan, what are you trying to do now?” Yan hung behind Wu Yan’s back, her red hair occasionally brushing against Wu Yan’s nose.
Since Severing Delusion had been damaged in the previous battle, leaving only a hilt, Wu Yan chose to walk. Her movements were fast, and the scenery around her changed rapidly.
“Finding a sword.”
Wu Yan’s answer was concise, but these few words stirred up bad memories for Yan.
‘You’re not planning to take a bunch of low-grade materials and make another ugly, trashy sword, are you?’
“Not this time. I plan to go to the Internal Affairs Hall to collect a sect longsword first, then go to Qingshan City to buy a spirit sword.”
Perhaps because the topic was something Wu Yan cared about, she spoke a rare amount of words.
When Yan heard Wu Yan say she was going to Qingshan City to buy a sword, she was shocked.
One had to know that the last time Wu Yan bought the Soul-Nourishing Jade, she had spent all her savings. This block of wood had been recovering recently and hadn’t gone anywhere. How could she suddenly have the money to buy a spiritual tool in Qingshan City?
Yan floated in front of her, her perky nose pressing tightly against Wu Yan’s. Her blood-red eyes almost occupied Wu Yan’s entire field of vision. “Little Wu Yan, speak up! Where did you get the money to buy a spiritual tool?”
Wu Yan pushed away Yan’s face and took out a Storage Bag from her waist that Yan had never seen before.
The Storage Bag was printed with crystalline snowflake patterns and emitted a faint, chilly air.
No, she hadn’t never seen it. She had seen this Storage Bag in her previous life!
There was no mistake. This was—
“This should be the item from the package Master brought over that Qingyao mentioned.” The space inside the Storage Bag was massive. Using her Divine Sense, she could see a neatly arranged pile of High-grade Spiritual Stones. By visual estimation, there were about 2,000 or 3,000 of them. It was likely all of Xia Lingshuang’s wealth accumulated over the years.
In addition to the spiritual stones, there was a sound transmission talisman inside: “The Five Sects Tournament is approaching. I know your sword is damaged. Take these spiritual stones to purchase one for the time being. Do not go up there with some scrap metal and embarrass me during the Grand Competition. Remember, go and return quickly. Do not cause trouble outside.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Yan drifted to Wu Yan’s hand like a lazy cat.
She stretched out a finger, tapping the Storage Bag in Wu Yan’s hand, and mocked awkwardly, “It looks like that old woman gave you her funeral savings. In my previous life, I didn’t even find this many spiritual stones when I was looting the spoils of war.”
Yan lay horizontally in mid-air without any sense of decorum, her bare feet swinging back and forth. The illusory red clothes she wore spread out like blood.
“Hey, blockhead. Since there’s a windfall from heaven now, spend it all, got it? Buy whatever catches your eye. If I want something, you have to buy that too, understand?”